Sam Moa Is Still Ton Gan

IT sounds like a territorial dispute in the Pacific when you say it out loud: Tonga and New Zealand fight over Sam Moa.

But despite being linked to the Kiwis for the Anzac Test, Sydney Roosters forward Moa isn’t jumping ship on Tonga’s bid for a World Cup semi-final berth.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney says it would be up to Moa if he wants to switch and the man who has been a boom signing from Hull FC only spoke about Tonga when League Week quizzed him.

“The sky’s the limit for Tonga,” the 27-year-old said.

Whatever the World Cup holds for Moa, it may struggle to match the atmosphere at Friday night’s 24-12 win over South Sydney to secure the minor premiership, in front of 59,708 fans

“It was crazy, I can’t explain it,” he enthused. “It was the biggest rugby league game I’ve been involved in and a great atmosphere.

“We weren’t too excited about winning the actual minor premiership. I think we were more excited after the game about how we performed. Our form over the last month hasn’t been too crash hot and we just spoke about getting back to what’s been good for us throughout the year. That’s been our defence.

“The short turnaround probably helped us because we were so excited to get back and try and make amends after losing against the Titans. We just spoke briefly during the week about thinking about what’s been good for us and we needed a bit of passion and a bit of mongrel back in D, in our defence which has been good for us during the year. “

Moa started his first class career with Cronulla in 2008 before becoming a crowd favourite in four years at the KC Stadium.

First and foremost, it’s been a good choice to come to the Roosters,” he said.

“It’s a tremendous club. It’s a united club. It filters down from the board members down to the staff in the offices and coaches. I’ve come back to a great side and it’s easy to slot in when you just pitch in your 10 cents worth and that’s what I do.”